‘This show is meant to be in Australia’: I’m A Celeb WILL return Down Under ‘if possible’ after the pandemic forced the latest series to be shot in Wales
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here will return to Australia ‘if possible’, after the pandemic drove the show to be filmed in Wales last year.
ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall confirmed that bosses are hoping the show will return to the jungle as that is how the show is ‘meant to be’.
Speaking as the network published its group annual results, she said: ‘If we can go back to Australia – and this show is meant to be in Australia – then that’s what we’ll do. We have a very good plan if not, as we have already done it once (in the castle).’
Will they be back? I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here will return to Australia ‘if possible’, after the pandemic drove the show to be filmed in Wales last year (hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly pictured)
Prior to the confirmation, hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly sparked claims that this year’s series will be returning to Wales last month.
The presenting duo said they’d be ‘very happy’ to remain in the UK for filming when the series returns later this year, joking they ‘wouldn’t miss the jet lag’.
Last year’s I’m A Celebrity was relocated to Gwrych Castle in Wales after plans to record the usual show in Australia became impossible due to COVID.
Speaking to Digital Spy magazine, Ant said: ‘If during coronavirus we have to stay put and do it in Wales again, I’d be very happy.
Chatting away: ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall confirmed that bosses are hoping the show will return to the jungle as that is how the show is ‘meant to be’ (pictured in 2018)
‘We were very welcomed in Wales. There were cardboard cut-outs of me and Dec in the butcher’s, and the local school did a tribute. We’d happily go back there. We’d miss the sunshine, mind.’
Dec added that he ‘wouldn’t be disappointed’ if filming was once again taking place in Wales later this year, adding: ‘The people in Wales were lovely…
‘They made us feel very welcome. I had a lovely time. I will miss the sunshine, but I will not miss the jet lag of coming back from Australia.’
Changes: Last year’s I’m A Celebrity was relocated to Gwrych Castle in Wales after plans to record the usual show in Australia became impossible during the COVID-19 pandemic
Last year’s I’m A Celebrity saw author Giovanna Fletcher crowned series champion after 12 celebrities moved into the derelict Gwrych Castle.
It was reported last month that ITV bosses had already secured use of the castle for another series if the Covid crisis prevented a return to Australia.
A source told The Sun: ‘Ultimately they are at the mercy of COVID-19 restrictions. Formally an agreement is in place for the use of Gwrych Castle this year. Should the show need to be held there again it has all got the green light.’
Next series? The presenting duo said they’d be ‘very happy’ to remain in the UK for filming when the series returns later this year
ITV hired the 19th century castle for six weeks in 2020, costing £1million, after Covid-19 ruled out the usual setting in Australia. The network also announced an extreme Covid Management Plan to ensure the series ran smoothly.
This included the celebrities being tested every three days and crew members wearing proximity buzzers, masks and getting temperature checks on arrival.
The celebrities also had to isolate for two weeks ahead of their arrival. The new venue was warmly received by viewers, with some even calling for the show to make Wales its new permanent home.